If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

whats the need for an inner cover

Just a quick question. Why do we run inner covers. Is is to prop the top up for ventilation . I thought maybe a upper entrance but not all you buy have the dado . I build nucs and they dont have them. Just wondering. What yalls thoughts. Thanks and look forward to the input Peace Dave

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

thanks for the reply Roland. On the escape I been known to brush off frames and put them in a tub. And on the pail feeders I use baggie feeders,laying them right on frames. Maybe Im answering my own question. If you prop the top open a bit will they just propolis it with no inner cover. Dont know.

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

Thanks folks for all of the input. I can see that they would propolis the telescoping cover and it would be hard to get off. Im just on a budget and expanding my apiary and dont really like building inner covers. Alot of time for a little part of the hive. Thanks again for all the info Peace Dave

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

Migratory covers can be modified to do about anything an inner cover can do. They are also a lot cheaper to make than an inner cover and a telescoping cover. If you need the space for feed, saw new deep supers into three each 3 inch spacer rims and feed with zip locks. I live in windy country. Most fashionable colonies including commercial ones sport a large rock on top to keep covers from blowing off.

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

we run telescoping covers on everything (nucs, full hives, cellbuilders etc) here in FL and dont have any problems getting them off, and we dont run any inner covers....I prefer the telescoping covers over the migratory, just my opinion...good luck going into spring everyone.

A government large enough to provide everything you need is strong enough to take everything you have. T. Jefferson

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

I'm surprised to hear of people using telescoping covers without inner covers and not having a problem. I have only done that a few times, but every time I did I had to use a hammer to get the lid up and usually 2-4 frames came along with the lid.

I bought a case of nuc boxes many years ago from a retired beekeeper. He had never put them together. When I started building them I realized that they had telescoping covers. I made a couple and used them one year. Same thing....everytime I wanted to open the nuc 2-3 frames came with the lid.

I finally took the long sides off of the lids and used the pieces as supports across the lid like a migratory cover so I could get my hive tool under the lid.

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

When I build my hives out of dimensional lumber I finger the entire board and cut a slot in the top (dato) for the plywood to set in. It helps me square the hive and when I am done I cut the top off at the hive depth. End result is a perfect fitting inside cover and a perfectly square hive body and zero waste. It is deep enough to use as a candy board or upside down as a standard cover. So to answer the question; candy board.

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

If you're on a budget, and are concerned with the Telescoping cover being glued down you could use a feed sack instead. I've seen youtube videos of folks in Europe using feed sacks or just plastic sheeting. A little experimenting is not likely to hurt anything.

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

I would be real interested if not useing an inner cover really can help control SHB? Less places to hide etc., because that seems to be the place i see them first(early in the season) and mostly later as well! Useing migratory with a special one with a slot for hive top feeders might be the way to go. Hmmmm?

Re: whats the need for an inner cover

I do, and will run inner covers for VENTILATION. I do have mig. covers with jar lid holes in them for feeding when I am feeding lightly. But really dont like using them because of the lack of ventilation. I also use inner covers cut out to feed with the 4 qt. feeder from Kelleys. That way the feeder sits right on the frames. To each his own.